Phil Parkinson Out, Michael Carrick In? ‘Ruthless’ Call Predicted From Reynolds & McElhenney as Wrexham Eye Premier League

Are the Hollywood Owners Ready to Make Their Boldest Move Yet at Wrexham?

Since taking over Wrexham AFC in 2021, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have turned the North Wales club into something of a sporting phenomenon. With their blend of charisma, financial backing, and unrelenting ambition, they’ve not only rejuvenated a sleeping football giant but transformed it into a global story—streamed, shared, and supported by millions.

But as Wrexham now prepares to take on the Championship—just one tier below the Premier League—speculation is swirling: could the club’s next “Hollywood twist” involve replacing manager Phil Parkinson with Michael Carrick?

It’s a question that’s beginning to gather pace in both fan circles and media outlets, and one that gets to the heart of modern football’s most uncomfortable truth: loyalty has its limits when big money and bigger dreams are involved.

WHAT HAPPENED? Parkinson’s Historic Rise With Wrexham

Phil Parkinson Wrexham 2024-25

Let’s get one thing straight: Phil Parkinson has done a remarkable job.

Since being appointed by Reynolds and McElhenney just months after their stunning takeover of the SToK Racecourse, Parkinson has delivered a dream. Wrexham’s rise from the National League to the Championship in three seasons is the kind of football fairytale most clubs can only fantasize about.

His record is stellar by any measure:

• 136 wins from 221 matches

• Three consecutive promotions

• A tactical consistency that brought structure to chaos

• And, perhaps most importantly, belief back to a club that had been languishing in obscurity for over a decade

Wrexham are now just one promotion away from the unthinkable: Premier League football.

But—and this is where things get awkward—is Parkinson the man to take them all the way?

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Tactical Limitations & Championship Reality

As Wrexham climbs the pyramid, the margin for error shrinks. The Championship is not League Two or even League One. It’s a minefield—stacked with parachute-payment-fuelled clubs, savvy managers, and squads dripping with international pedigree.

There’s no doubting Parkinson’s ability to organize a team and foster spirit, but questions linger about his tactical range. His game model—largely pragmatic, direct, and built on physicality—worked brilliantly in the lower leagues. But will it scale?

Critics point to a possible lack of adaptability, a risk in a division where in-game management and system fluidity often define success. Others worry that Wrexham’s squad, while strong, lacks the depth to implement a more nuanced or expansive style without new leadership.

And then there’s the celebrity ownership factor.

HOLLYWOOD EXPECTATIONS: Reynolds & McElhenney Ready to Be Ruthless?

Wrexham mural Phil Parkinson

Say what you will about Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—they’re not here to play it safe.

Their documentary series, Welcome to Wrexham, makes it abundantly clear that while they love the romance of the story, they’re equally obsessed with results. They’ve invested heavily in infrastructure, staff, and player wages. They’ve built a global fanbase. And now, they want to deliver the one thing that still eludes the club: Premier League football.

According to insiders and former players, if the club stumbles early in the 2025–26 campaign, a change could be imminent.

Former Wrexham striker Matt Jansen believes that Reynolds and McElhenney won’t hesitate to act if promotion starts to slip away.

“Football is ruthless and money is a big driving factor in that,” Jansen said in an interview with Live Casinos. “I do think they’d be ruthless with Parkinson. He’s done brilliantly, no question, but Carrick would be a good fit. He knows the Championship. He plays expansive football. He has experience and pedigree.”

THE MICHAEL CARRICK OPTION: United Brains, Modern Football Mind

If the owners are looking for a name that can both raise Wrexham’s profile and tactical ceiling, Michael Carrick might just be their man.

Carrick—a Manchester United icon and one of the most cerebral midfielders of his generation—transitioned into management at Middlesbrough with real promise. In his first season, he inherited a team flirting with relegation and guided them into the Championship play-offs.

His philosophy is rooted in possession-based, forward-thinking football, with a focus on midfield control and off-the-ball organization. He’s young, articulate, and shares many of the modern managerial traits that clubs at the top tier crave.

Although his time at Boro ended in disappointment, many observers saw his sacking as premature—more reflective of high expectations than poor performance.

Carrick, still just 43, is likely to be high on several clubs’ shortlists. But a project like Wrexham, with global visibility and a war chest to back it, could tempt him.

WHAT JANSEN SAID: The Inside View

“Carrick would be a good fit,” Jansen added. “He knows the level. He’s already worked under pressure. At Middlesbrough, the expectations were massive. Maybe it didn’t end the way he wanted, but his impact was obvious.”

“If Wrexham wants to go up again—and they do—you need someone who knows how to handle that. Carrick has played in Champions League finals. He knows what elite football looks like. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the direction they take if results don’t go well.”

WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

There’s no immediate indication that Parkinson’s job is under threat. In fact, Reynolds and McElhenney have repeatedly shown public support for their manager, often defending him both on camera and off.

But football moves fast—and Wrexham now plays in a division where sentiment doesn’t get you points.

The club’s pre-season tour to Australia and New Zealand will be critical. It’s not just about fitness; it’s a branding mission, a bonding mission, and a chance for Parkinson to fine-tune his squad before the curtain-raiser.

Their opening fixture? A daunting trip to Southampton on August 9—a Premier League-caliber opponent who will test every aspect of their game.

Should results falter early, the whispers will grow louder. And you can bet the ownership duo won’t sit idle.

FINAL THOUGHTS: A Turning Point in Wrexham’s Story?

For all the fairy-tale charm that surrounds Wrexham’s rise, this summer feels like a turning point—a moment when the story pivots from feel-good fantasy to elite ambition.

Phil Parkinson has more than earned his place in Wrexham folklore. If he guides them to a solid start in the Championship, the debate ends. He stays. He leads. He dreams with them.

But if cracks begin to show—and if Michael Carrick is waiting in the wings—then don’t be shocked if Reynolds and McElhenney make the kind of bold, ruthless decision that defines modern football.

After all, this is Wrexham. And the next scene is still being written.